Annual eye exams are an important part of your healthcare routine. Several eye conditions develop gradually without noticeable symptoms until significant damage may have occurred. Optometrists can also detect signs of conditions that affect your overall health like diabetes, high blood pressure, and thyroid disease.
Common eye diseases include:
- Glaucoma: Pressure in the eye from fluid buildup that can cause damage to the optic nerve.
- Cataracts: A clouding of the lens of the eye that restricts vision.
- Age-Related Macular degeneration: Damage to part of the retina affects the center of vision.
- Diabetic retinopathy: A complication of diabetes where, over time, high blood sugar levels damage the blood vessels in the retina, causing impaired vision or blindness.
If you have one of the eye diseases listed above, it may be because of an underlying health issue. When left untreated, many eye diseases can cause permanent blindness, lead to an increase in falls, and cause other health-related issues.
JAA’s Home Health Services can work with your physician to create a treatment plan that will help you manage conditions that may affect your vision such as diabetes and high blood pressure. Ask your physician to for a referral to JAA Home Healthcare.
TIP: Give your eyes a rest. Looking at a computer for a long time can tire your eyes. Rest your eyes by taking a break every 20 minutes to look at something about 20 feet away for 20 seconds
Sources: American Academy of Ophthalmology, American Eye Associates; Harvard Health